Patients with Schizophrenia and Self-Care

The relations between socio-demographic information and negative symptoms, mental health, and quality of life: a latent profile analysis with psychotic patients in Kosovo

The current study aims to identify meaningful psychotic patients' profiles by examining certain combinations of patient's demographic and socio-economic variables (sex, age, marital status, number of children, cohabitant and level of education). Moreover, we aim to assess whether there is any significant effect of class membership (profile) on negative symptoms, health state, and quality of life among psychotic patients. A convenience sample of 103 patients (age: M = 22, SD = 1.75), was drawn from the clinical populations of Kosovo. Demographic and socio-economic data was obtained through individual interviews, meanwhile a battery of questionnaires was used to assess negative symptoms, mental health, and quality of life of patients. The 4-class solution was selected as the best fitting model and used in subsequent analyses. Results indicated a significant effect of class membership on health state, quality of life and negative symptoms. Practical implications are discussed.

WHODAS 2.0: Associations of functional disability with sex, age, and length of care in outpatients with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders

Schizophrenia is a disabling mental disorder that is associated with impairments in both social and occupational functioning. Few studies, however, have explored functional domains of disability and its associations with age, sex, and length of care. As part of a hospital quality improvement initiative, data were collected on outpatients' age, sex, length of care, and levels of disability (using the WHODAS 2.0; N=180; M=45.72; 68% male). Mean disability summary and domain scores were compared with population norms from international samples and two published studies in schizophrenia. A series of three-way ANOVAs and post-hoc tests evaluated differences in levels of disability based on age, sex, and length of care categories. Sample mean summary scores were comparable to published studies in schizophrenia (M=24.81; SD=17.37; 85^th percentile). Statistically significant main effects of sex and age on summary and domain-specific scores were found, whereas length of care was not significant. A statistically significant three-way interaction of sex x length of care x age was found for summary and mobility scores. Findings provide support for the reliability and validity of the WHODAS 2.0 in outpatients with schizophrenia. Although causal inferences cannot be made, findings show that age and sex are important factors to consider in addressing disability.

Patients Hospitalized for Psychiatric Problems and Their Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Toward COVID-19

The current study aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) of persons hospitalized for psychiatric problems and the correlation between knowledge and demographics. A correlational, cross-sectional study was used to collect data through structured interviews from a convenience sample of 200 patients with psychiatric disorders seeking treatment at a psychiatric hospital using the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices questionnaire. Participants had poor knowledge (51.5%), moderate attitudes (75%), and low to moderate practices (61%) toward COVID-19. Knowledge was different across most demographic and illness-related variables. Global assessment of functioning and educational level predicted knowledge and accounted for 37.5% of the variance. Due to disability and poor self-care, persons hospitalized for psychiatric problems are more vulnerable to infectious diseases than the general population. Mental health nurses need to raise KAP toward COVID-19. Current results are informative to health care policymakers and mental health authorities in helping identify target populations for prevention and education about COVID-19. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, xx(x), xx-xx.].